Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are available to qualifying federally recognized American Indians and Alaska Natives. These programs provide better access to services that a local Indian health clinic might not be able to provide.

Your Medicaid and CHIP rights and protections

If you’re eligible for services from the Indian Health Service (also known as an Indian hospital or Public Health Service (PHS)), tribal health programs (also known as tribal 638 programs or tribal health clinics), or urban Indian programs (known as I/T/Us), including Contract Health Services:

A certificate of degree of Indian blood issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs

A tribal census document

Any document indicating affiliation with the tribe

Medicaid and CHIP agencies may accept an individual’s attestation regarding Indian status. If the Medicaid or CHIP agency requires documents, American Indians and Alaska Natives may need to prove Indian status or eligibility for services from an Indian health provider.